L. Vrljicak (1509 ELO) vs S. Tomic (1856 ELO), Bird Opening, Dutch Variation
Split Chess Open, Round 2, 08/13/18
Round 2 of the tournament went well considering I almost had to forfeit the game because I was 29 minutes late (you resign after 30). I played a lower rated opponent.
As I was trying to find my board and rushing to the table I saw the move f4 on the board and almost allowed my time to run out. I ended up playing 1…d5, the most common reply to the Bird opening.
It was a sort of normal opening in which I went for as much activity as my opponent would allow. Luckily for me, he didn’t play correctly and I ended up getting a very favorable position very early on.
I won a pawn tactically, had a passer on the second rank and didn’t have a hard time converting. A relief after thinking I was going to have to auto-resign!